This is even as President Bola Tinubu declared a 7-day mourning through flying of the nation’s flag at half mast, in addition to postponing the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) indefinitely.
In a statement he personally signed today, November 6, the Osun governor said: “a huge misfortune has befallen the people of Osun State, the Nigerian army and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu.
“We lost a rare breed, a gentleman and a true patriot to the cold hand of death.
“Our late brother has a big vision of operational reforms for the Nigerian Army. He launched out and commenced the implementation of root and branch reform of the Nigerian Army. Within his short stint in office, he enforced professionalism and battled terrorists and bandits with terrifying fierceness.
“Our late brother was a very hardworking officer, a true workaholic, a fierce soldier, a replica of the traditional army officer with an ambitious plan for modernization and integration of the Nigerian Army.
“In my last encounter with him, he exuded hope and aspirations of a better Nigeria with the military as a stabilizer and unifier of the federation. In late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, the confidence and the firmness to realize the vision of a new Nigerian Army.
“Unfortunately, the end came suddenly. We surrendered to the will of the Almighty creator. I commiserate with the Commander – in- Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, my people of Ilobu and the great Lagbaja family.
“We mourn together on this sad occasion. On behalf of the people and Government of Osun state, we extend commiseration to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and the two children.”
And a statement by the Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga said that FEC meeting, which was scheduled to hold today, has been postponed indefinitely in honour of late General Lagbaja.
“President Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.”
